Mit Wasser und Seife gegen die Grippe

Pharmazeutische Maßnahmen wie die Impfung und die antivirale Prophylaxe sind nur 2 Bausteine zum Infektionsschutz der Bevölkerung. Ein dritter, entscheidender Baustein sind einfache, nicht-pharmazeutische Maßnahmen wie die Händehygiene. In einer qualitativen Studie wird zunächst ermittelt, wie das Händewaschen aktuell in der Bevölkerung verankert ist. Darauf aufbauend werden 7 Hypothesen formuliert, die Bedarf für weitere Forschung zur Förderung der Händehygiene aufzeigen. Das Potenzial für derartige Forschung liegt beispielsweise in der Konzeption und Evaluation von Informationskampagnen zur Händehygiene. Die 7 Hypothesen lauten: Hypothese 1 Gesundheitstipps haben eine höhere Chance auf Verhaltensänderung, wenn sie dem Rezipienten die persönliche Betroffenheit verständlich und erlebbar machen. Hypothese 2 Hygiene dient hauptsächlich dem Wohlgefühl und der Gesellschaftsfähigkeit. Hypothese 3 Eine emotionale Verbindung zwischen Hygiene und Gesundheit besteht durch das Ekelgefühl. Hypothese 4 Das Händewaschen wird vorwiegend rituell und nach gefühltem Bedarf durchgeführt. Hypothese 5 Der Ansteckungsweg von Grippe/Atemwegsinfektionen ist bisher nur so weit bewusst, wie er beobachtbar ist, also in Bezug auf Husten, Niesen und dabei entstehende Tröpfchen. Hypothese 6 Das Bewusstmachen des Übertragungswegs „Hand“ steigert die Motivation zum Händewaschen. Hypothese 7 In der Pandemie erhöht sich der Informationsbedarf und die Bereitschaft zum persönlichen Infektionsschutz.Medical interventions like vaccination and antiviral prophylaxis are only two ways of protecting the population from infectious diseases. A third and decisive method is to apply non-pharmaceutical interventions like hand hygiene. A qualitative study identified the role hand washing actually plays in the daily life of the population. Based on the results, seven hypotheses are proposed which point to the need for further research about promotion of hand hygiene, e.g. the conception and evaluation of hand washing advertising campaigns. Hypothesis 1 Health tips are more likely to be followed if they communicate clearly and understandably the personal relevance of the information to the recipients. Hypothesis 2 For many, hygiene serves above all to make them feel good and more comfortable around others. Hypothesis 3 The feeling of disgust is an emotional connection between health and hygiene. Hypothesis 4 People mainly wash their hands ritually and when they actually feel the need to clean their hands. Hypothesis 5 As far as most people are aware, the means of transmission of influenza and other respiratory diseases are only the ones they can observe, namely coughing, sneezing, and the resulting visible droplets. Hypothesis 6 People are more motivated to wash their hands after learning that infections can be spread via the hands. Hypothesis 7 A pandemic situation increases the population’s demand for information and people’s willingness to protect themselves from infection

Knowledge and awareness about and use of iodised salt among students in Germany and Greece

Background: Iodine is an essential trace element, which is important for human metabolism, growth and mental development. Iodine deficiency may still occur in Europe and the use of iodised salt is an effective measure to enhance iodine intake. Knowledge and awareness about the importance of iodine in nutrition and health can have a positive impact on the use of iodised salt. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge about and use of iodised salt among university students in two European countries. Method: Data from two countries (Germany and Greece) were extracted from a multi-centre cross-sectional survey, conducted among non-nutrition science/non-medical students from October 2018 to April 2019. Results: Among the 359 participants in Germany (35% females, median age: 22 years) and the 403 participants in Greece (51% females, median age: 21 years), 41% and 37%, respectively, reported use of iodised salt at home. Users and non-users did not differ by age, gender and Body Mass Index or general interest in nutrition in both cohorts. However, those who had a better knowledge about iodine and (iodised) salt or had previously attended nutrition classes were more likely to report iodised salt usage. Conclusion: The results suggest that strengthening the imparting of nutritional information and additional education of young adults are needed and may improve knowledge about and usage of iodised salt. © 2022, The Author(s)

Knowledge, attitude and behaviour of university students regarding salt and iodine: a multicentre cross-sectional study in six countries in Europe and Asia

Background!#!Strategies to reduce salt intake are encouraged to be implemented in parallel with those that aim to ensure iodine adequacy at the population level. The aim of the present study was to assess and compare knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to salt and iodine among students in Europe and Asia.!##!Methods!#!A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted with 2459 university students in total (42.7% males, median age 21 years) from four countries in Europe and two countries in Asia. Data were collected with the use of a self-administered questionnaire, and univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to explore any association between variables.!##!Results!#!Only 6.5% of all participants knew the correct salt recommendations. Nearly a quarter of them (24.4%) found salt recommendations confusing and/or contradictory. There were significant differences between European and Asian participants, with those from Europe being better informed about salt recommendations, but significantly less knowledgeable about iodine. The reported frequency of use of salt and salt-containing sauces either at the table or for cooking, as well as knowledge about ways to reduce salt intake among those who indicated to make conscious efforts to do so, differed significantly between countries. Significant differences between countries were also observed with respect to the type of salt used, with about one third of all participants (34%) not being aware of the kind of salt they used.!##!Conclusion!#!The results of this survey highlight serious salt- and iodine-related knowledge gaps among university students in Europe and Asia. Raising awareness and conducting information campaigns is needed to promote changes in behaviour that would result in a reduction of salt intake and conscious use of iodised salt at the individual level